MUSKOKA LAKES CASE TODAY AS ALL ADULTS CAN BOOK VACCINE BY MAY 24

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — A young Muskoka Lakes resident is among 74 people with COVID today as the province moves to vaccinate those 18 and older May 24.

The man aged 18-34 is under investigation after being reported yesterday with a first episode Monday, says the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.

Public Health Ontario (PHO) said this morning that the region’s count was 111.

This as new guidelines are coming down that could allow outdoor congregate gatherings without masks — but with distancing rules.

Meanwhile, PHO Ontario reports 3,871 cases and 41 deaths (3,480 cases 24 deaths yesterday). They are among 8,029 deaths provincially.

In Toronto today there 1,172 cases (961), York 392 (290) and Peel 901 (589).

North Bay-Parry Sound was back up to 2 cases after 1 yesterday.

Quebec is reporting 1,042 and 5 deaths.

Fifty Canadian Armed Forces medical specialists arrived at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto today to assist local health care workers.

The province also said today that a limited supply of the Pfizer vaccine will be offered at pharmacies in late May; as federal health officials said definitively that the AstaZeneca vaccine is safe.

And Ontario is targeting half its vaccine supply to hot spots, including one in Simcoe-Muskoka in Bradford-West Gwillimbury.

Ontarians aged 55+ will also be able to book vaccines as of tomorrow, Friday April 30.

They will be followed by those 50 and up next week, 40 and up the week of May 10, 30-year-olds and up the week of May 17.

As of today Ontario has vaccinated 5,027,770.

Nova Scotia had 70 cases today after 96 earlier this week sparked a lockdown.

HEALTH UNIT HIGHLIGHTS:

  • 1 more death in Simcoe today — the 220th there.
  • 10,312 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Simcoe Muskoka since COVID-19 was first identified in Canada.
  • 277 new cases this week. 637 last week, 715 cases week before.
  • 22 deaths in April.
  • 2,519 UK variants, 36 from Brazil), 7 from South Africa and 672 more awaiting confirmation of variant.
  • 200,000+ vaccines administered
  • 184,500+ people have had a first vaccine or almost 30% of the population.
The health unit is reporting 1 more death in Simcoe today – its 220th.

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

  • Quebec to vaccinate those 18+ starting May 18.
  • 930 Canadian Olympic athletes to get shots for July 23 start of Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
  • Peel schools to open in hot spots for vaccination clinics.
  • Toronto teaming up with volunteer Vaccine Hunters to help Torontonians book vaccine.
  • U.S. tells Americans to leave India after 379,000 people tested positive and 3,645 died. Their death toll is now more than 18 million. In January and February cases were about 10,000 per day.
  • After weeks of lineups some U.S. states have an overabundance of vaccine, which in some cases is in danger of exceeding its expiry date. However, officials there say they could share extra doses with India or possibly Canada.
  • New York City is planning a July 1 re-opening for all but schools and Broadway.
  • France opening cafes, cinemas, museums and concert halls May 19.
By May 24 all Ontarians aged 18+ will be eligible for vaccination as Canada anticipates massive supplies in the coming weeks. That includes 300,000 Johnson & Johnson vaccine as of Monday. After that there will be a million more each week, says Major Gen. Denis Fortin.

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